]]>According to Colleen Miele of Dana Communications, every week of the year—in big cities and tiny communities around the country—there are an incredible number of food festivals ripe for the picking. You probably heard your fill about bacon festivals—but there are others that focus solely on Chile peppers, garlic, mushrooms, cheese and even whoopie pies—and still more that celebrate all foods. Don’t let the choices (or the in-the-know crowds) rattle you! We’ve compiled one dozen tips to transform you from festival newbie to seasoned foodie:

1. Be a picky eater

Most food festivals offer dozens of events over several days. You can’t hit them all, so do your research in advance to choose the ones that really strike your fancy. The culinary team at Kiawah Island Golf Resort also advises, “Buy these tickets early. A lot of events sell out and you don’t want to miss the one everyone will be talking about.”

It would be so easy to go with tried-and-true foods, but this is your chance to sample something daring. Who knows? You might just find your new favorite!

4. Arrive fashionably early

Getting to a scheduled event 15 minutes in advance is a very good practice—and an even better way to avoid getting stuck queuing up while everyone else is already noshing away.

5. Don’t go with the flow

If you see everyone flocking to a single vendor and rotating in one direction, start at the opposite corner and work backward. They’ll get the tiresome wait and you’ll claim the tasty prize.

6. Divide and conquer

Even better, split up to gather the goodies and share in the spoils. Alessia Aron, Co-Founder of Jersey Girls Food Tours explains, “Eating tapas-style is our favorite thing to do. So we create an informal list, then each wait in line for our favorites to share with the group.”

7. Drink Up

We’re talking about water here. Especially if you’re already drinking wine, beer or spirits. You don’t want to get dehydrated and ruin your festival experience.

8. Pace yourself

A food festival is a marathon, not a sprint. The culinary team at Kiawah Island Golf Resort recommends, “Don’t go all-out on opening night. Enjoy the whole event.”

9. Snap pix

Of course, you’ll want to post #foodporn on Instagram. But you’ll also want photographic evidence to remember the name of that dish, beverage or restaurant you fell in love with. Bonus tip: Make sure your phone is fully charged before you hit the scene!

10. BYOC

That’s “bring your own cutlery.” And while you might feel like a dork carrying a fork, imagine how smart you’ll look when a vendor runs out of those dinky plastic utensils and you’re the only one who can dig in to the goodness.

11. Taste, don’t gorge

Even if you fall in love with a food, don’t overindulge. You’ll feel too full to enjoy all the other deliciousness to come.

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/charleston/2017/07/06/12-juicy-food-festival-tips-newbies/2021 Breakfast Challengehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/9vCDIgl6QLc/
Fri, 09 Jun 2017 14:31:02 +0000https://kiawahresort.com/?p=38128Be a champion and take on Town Center Market‘s 2021 Breakfast Challenge! As you may already know, the 2021 PGA Championship will be coming back to Kiawah Island to play America’s Toughest Golf Course, The Ocean Course. For fun, our on-island market and cafe located in East Beach Village, is challenging market-goers to experience The $20.21 […]

]]>Be a champion and take on Town Center Market‘s 2021 Breakfast Challenge! As you may already know, the 2021 PGA Championship will be coming back to Kiawah Island to play America’s Toughest Golf Course, The Ocean Course. For fun, our on-island market and cafe located in East Beach Village, is challenging market-goers to experience The $20.21 Challenge.

At the top of the breakfast menu, made up of Nutella stuffed French toast, stacked with country ham, honey ham, American cheese, bacon, sausage and topped with two over-easy eggs then drizzled with maple syrup…we present to you, The 2021 Breakfast Challenge.

Oh, and don’t forget your choice of one side, since you’ll still have room for more! Meet some of our champions…bravo to you all for completing the challenge!

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/dining/2017/06/09/2021-breakfast-challenge/May Culinary Eventshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/q3v4OiZNKsY/
Mon, 08 May 2017 21:08:41 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5378Spring is in the air and the May culinary events are here! Our Kiawah Resort Chefs are excited to share their fresh, seasonal produce with you. Our menus change seasonally and the chefs love this time of year, check out their new spring menus here. From soft shell crabs to root vegetables and leafy greens, […]

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/05/08/may-culinary-events/Raise a Glass with a Specialty Cocktailhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/n4ghZuRrdf8/
Thu, 20 Apr 2017 20:35:04 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5374 An inviting specialty cocktail is always a welcome addition to a vacation, so we stay ahead of mixology trends to serve the finest choice of libations for you to enjoy a over a post-round golf story, as a relaxing beach refreshment or to simply celebrate the day. When it comes to drinks, Cherrywood BBQ […]

An inviting specialty cocktail is always a welcome addition to a vacation, so we stay ahead of mixology trends to serve the finest choice of libations for you to enjoy a over a post-round golf story, as a relaxing beach refreshment or to simply celebrate the day.

When it comes to drinks, Cherrywood BBQ & Ale House at the Osprey Point clubhouse is known for two things…one, of course, is beer. The bar features 60+ local, imported, draft and craft beers, with tasting flights being a popular option. Mules—made with tequila, bourbon, rum or vodka—are their other claim to fame. Try the local favorite Charleston Mule made with Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

The Ryder Cup Bar at The Ocean Course clubhouse offers seasonally changing specialty cocktails. A few year-round favorites are On the Green, The Condor and Kiawah Sunset. Guests also rave about the new Ocean Course Ale developed in a collaboration by Low Tide Brewing of Johns Island.

Both of the resort’s premier restaurants, The Atlantic Room and The Ocean Room in The Sanctuary boast extensive, Wine Spectator-awarded wine lists. However, due to the diversity of the cuisine served in each, guests most likely wouldn’t be drinking the same wine in both places.

The resort’s authentic Italian restaurant, Tomasso at Turtle Point offers an equally impressive wine list, but more focused on Italian and New World varietals—from Pinot Grigios to Barolos. Tomasso is also highly acclaimed for its house-made Limoncello.

So, no matter where you choose to dine at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, you can always raise a glass filled with a very tasty cocktail. For complete menus and reservations, visit KiawahDining.com.

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/04/20/specialty-cocktail/Kiawah takes green to the next levelhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/2SXBO7jpTfw/
Mon, 03 Apr 2017 18:40:46 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5369 Kiawah Island has always been known as an environmentally conscientious destination. The town and the resort take great pride in the unspoiled environment and both work hard to conserve natural resources. Now, the Town Center Market in East Beach is taking green to the next level. After years of using traditional Styrofoam plates and […]

Kiawah Island has always been known as an environmentally conscientious destination. The town and the resort take great pride in the unspoiled environment and both work hard to conserve natural resources. Now, the Town Center Market in East Beach is taking green to the next level.

After years of using traditional Styrofoam plates and plastic flatware, General Manager, Deborah Fields, began working with Sysco Corporation to find more environmentally friendly solutions for The Market. Last July, they started sourcing compostable serving dishes and flatware.

“The plates are made from palm leaves, very apropos for a resort in South Carolina where the state tree is a palmetto,” explained Fields. “The flatware is made from regenerated, compostable material that easily returns to its natural state after use. It actually took a while for Sysco to find items that met our standards. We didn’t want to serve anything on compostable paper that could allow liquids to seep through. These plates, while manufactured with palm leaves, appear to be made of bamboo,“ said Fields.

The response by the resort’s guests has been overwhelmingly positive. The Market has displays around the dining area explaining the project and servers personally explain to guests what is compostable and what is recyclable and where to deposit each.

Now all plates and flatware, plus unused and uneaten foods go into “compost recycling” containers, which are collected by Food Waste Disposal, LLC to undergo the composting process at their nearby Charleston facility.

“We’re very proud to be taking ‘green’ to another level,” said Fields. “That’s very important to a resort such as Kiawah, where we were ‘green’ before ‘green’ was cool!”

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/04/03/green-to-the-next-level/Kiawah Kids Triathlon Spotlight Athletehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/lpyvQ4FgZNM/
Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:46:56 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5366Kiawah Island Golf Resort has a long standing tradition in hosting premier racing events in the Lowcountry. As a family resort, we are excited for our newest event in our race family- the Kiawah Kids Triatlhon! We would like to introduce you to our Spotlight Athlete, Marshall Hodges. Marshall is 13 years old and in […]

]]>Kiawah Island Golf Resort has a long standing tradition in hosting premier racing events in the Lowcountry. As a family resort, we are excited for our newest event in our race family- the Kiawah Kids Triatlhon!

We would like to introduce you to our Spotlight Athlete, Marshall Hodges. Marshall is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at Moultrie Middle School. He has been running since the 4th grade and competes with the Mt. Pleasant Track Club. Marshall qualified for the 2015 National Junior Olympic Track and Filed Championships for the 3,000 meter race and the javelin and has competed twice in the National Junior Olympic Cross Country championships.

Marshall won the only triathlon he has competed in, the 2015 Chucktown Kids Fall Tri. He is currently training with Palmetto TRIbe, a new kids triathlon training team in the Charleston area. We will be following Marshall throughout his training and his race season. He will be competing in both of our 2017 Kiawah Kids Triathlon events- April 15th and September 16th.

Go to our website at www.KiawahKidsTri.com for more details on our Kids Triathlon.

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/03/27/kiawah-kids-triathlon-spotlight-athlete/Personalize Your Day of Spa Pampering at The Sanctuaryhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/FlXjc15jFY8/
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:16:37 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5362 Whether you’re seeking relaxation, skin renewal, body hydration or muscle recovery, The Spa at The Sanctuary has a wide range of services to customize your spa experience. Guests get to personalize your day of spa pampering at The Sanctuary’s spa! “While we have many pre-designed packages to choose from, our agents are trained to listen […]

Whether you’re seeking relaxation, skin renewal, body hydration or muscle recovery, The Spa at The Sanctuary has a wide range of services to customize your spa experience. Guests get to personalize your day of spa pampering at The Sanctuary’s spa!

“While we have many pre-designed packages to choose from, our agents are trained to listen to the needs of our guests and are empowered to create customized spa packages for everyone,” says Jerilyn Leavell, Spa Director.

For guests seeking expert skincare and a luminous glow before a night out, the staff might recommend the spa’s new Diamond Luxury Retreat from Natura Bissé. For guests looking for a treatment after enjoying a full day of resort activity, the Spa offers a customized package that features its new Cryo/Thermal Recovery followed by a 30-minute Reflexology session.

“Whether guests spend two hours or half a day with us, we try to anticipate their needs by pre-selecting services that address specific concerns as well as opportunities to create the perfect spa package for every individual,” says Leavell.

Customization does not stop at the reservation process. Before beginning treatments, therapists always have a detailed conversation with the guest so they can personalize the service even further.

“While all services have protocols, it’s important to remember we are always customizing the service to the specific needs of the guest. For example, many of our massage services are full-body massages, but if the guest chooses to spend the hour or 90 minutes on a specific area, we shift our time and attention to meet that request,” says Leavell.

The Spa also has its own custom blended aromatic massage oils and essential oils that are used to further personalize and enhance every treatment. “Whether you want to Relax, Revitalize or Recover, we have the perfect blend for you,” says Leavell.

To explore the resort’s full menu of spa services, visit KiawahSpa.com today.

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/03/13/personalize-your-day-of-spa-pampering/Tennis for the Whole Familyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/tNHYWQ2wopM/
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 20:02:14 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5356 Want to take on a sport everyone will love? Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s tennis program has activities for kids as young as four and boasts players still hitting balls well into their later years. In short, we offer tennis for the whole familyl So whether young or old, a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, […]

Want to take on a sport everyone will love? Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s tennis program has activities for kids as young as four and boasts players still hitting balls well into their later years. In short, we offer tennis for the whole familyl So whether young or old, a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, Kiawah has the perfect tennis offering just for you, and every member of your family.

“Over the years we’ve listened to our guests and come up with a great introduction to family tennis. Each Monday throughout the summer, we run a free demo clinic which gives an overview of what our tennis program offers,” said Roy Barth, Kiawah’s longtime Director of Tennis. “We go over a few key teaching concepts on the court, allowing participants to hit balls and pick up some tips. Many times, they’ll go directly from the clinic into the pro shop to sign up for programs for the kids, and for themselves.”

One of the most popular teaching aids is the automated Practice Alley. It’s essentially a batting cage for tennis players with an automatic ball retrieval system for uninterrupted practice time.

For up and coming junior players, Kiawah offers a number of programs throughout the summer, including our Daily Stroke-A-Day Clinic and Junior Mini-Camp, plus Tiny Tots for the smallest athletes. For tournament level junior players (minimum age 10), look into our Tournament Tough Workout and Barth Tennis Academy as well as Parent-Child Round Robins.

For intermediate or advanced level players, explore our Guaranteed Matchmaking Service. (At least two days advance notice required. If a player of equal ability cannot be found, a Kiawah Tennis Pro will play you.)

For dates, times and complete details on tennis programming for the entire family, visit KiawahTennis.com.

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/03/13/tennis-for-the-whole-family/Robb Report’s Splendor by the Shorehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/ipFUo3010yo/
Mon, 13 Mar 2017 19:29:19 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5353SPLENDOR BY THE SHORE 72 HOUR ROMANTIC ESCAPE AT THE SANCTUARY Robb Report A getaway to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a recipe for romance and splendor by the shore. Perched on a majestic barrier island located 21 miles south of Charleston’s Historic District, this “worlds away” resort is a study in […]

SPLENDOR BY THE SHORE
72 HOUR ROMANTIC ESCAPE AT THE SANCTUARY
Robb Report

A getaway to The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is a recipe for romance and splendor by the shore. Perched on a majestic barrier island located 21 miles south of Charleston’s Historic District, this “worlds away” resort is a study in coastal luxury.

From the outside, The Sanctuary resembles an oversized seaside mansion, the sort of hushed estate that would fit right in with Newport’s storied turn-of-the-19th-century summer residences. Thanks to a gentle rise in the land on which the hotel sits, a sweeping, unobstructed ocean view greets everyone who walks through the front door. A high polish walnut-plank floor and plush carpet in soothing marsh tones lead to sister staircases, the grandeur of which can make even the most jaded Scarlett swoon. Guest rooms are spacious and sumptuous. Tasteful furnishings, a marble bathroom, soaking tub, private terrace, and quick-to-appear room service are compelling reasons to remain cloistered in the room throughout the stay, but the island’s untrammeled beauty and the resort’s many amenities are what make a visit to The Sanctuary memorable.

…

DAY ONE
The journey to Kiawah Island unfolds beneath a canopy of moss-laden oak trees, past a private airport tucked amid fields of wildflowers, farmland, and roadside vegetable stands. Allow yourself to transition to a carefree “island time” mentality over the course of the 30-minute drive. After all, Coastal Living magazine recently named Kiawah the Happiest Seaside Town in America.

Hand over your car keys to the hotel valet—you won’t need them again until it is time to go home. Pick up your room key and bypass (for now) the sprawling lobby parlor. Head directly to the lawn, and have a seat on an ocean-facing Adirondack chair. Feel the sun on your face, hear the waves in your ear, and breathe in fresh air. Ahhhh…. Total relaxation has begun.

For the next 72 hours, you and your significant other will be spoiled and pampered, fed, and catered to by the staff of The Sanctuary. Your only job is to enjoy.

TEE TIME
Of Kiawah Island’s five golf courses, the dauntingly beautiful championship Ocean Course, where a riveting Ryder Cup occurred in 1991 and the world’s best professional golfers gathered for the 2012 P.G.A. Championship, is calling your name today. The Ocean Course may be difficult-to-play, but it is beautiful-to-walk, and the two of you will long remember playing golf alongside egrets, alligators, and exquisite wind-swept scenery. Even if one of you is not a golfer, this is the perfect opportunity to tag along and soak up the setting.

TEA TIME
Once you’ve completed the 18th hole on Pete Dye’s challenging par 72-links, head to the Ryder Cup Bar inside the Ocean Course Clubhouse. Order an iced tea (or a Black and Stormy!) and watch fellow golfers practice their putting skills. Hop the shuttle back to The Sanctuary and peruse the fashions stocked at Elizabeth East, one of the resort’s boutiques, where the racks are lined with well-known brands such as Tory Burch, Milly, and Coach.

SUPPER TIME
After a day spent at the mercy of the Ocean Course’s legendary firm greens and unpredictable sea breezes, followed by a mini shopping spree, the mahogany-paneled Ocean Room is a welcome refuge. Indulge in the best this fine-dining steakhouse has to offer, including caviar, lobster bisque, and the especially indulgent black truffle pommes frites. You won’t be disappointed. And be sure to save room for the dessert menu’s shining star: the interactive “Chocolate Brownie Dome” that is unlike anything we have ever seen. Trust us!

On the way back to the room, ask the concierge to schedule a wake-up call 10 minutes before sunrise, then wind down the evening while counting stars and sipping champagne on the balcony of your guest room.
…
DAY TWO
Wake up, give your sweetheart a kiss, and walk directly out the door together. Take the boardwalk to the beach to witness the golden hour of sunrise, a glorious awakening of the natural world. Shore birds and tiny crabs scuttle about, while the occasional deer appears on the dunes in search of a foliage breakfast. This languid pace sets the tone for a day of rest and rejuvenation.

TAKE A SLOW SPIN
After enjoying fluffy pancakes in the Jasmine Porch dining room, explore Kiawah Island’s scenic vistas via bicycle. With more than 30 miles of sun-dappled paved bike paths and 10 miles of pristine beach, it is a pleasure to roam the resort on two wheels. There are 24 tennis courts on the island making this the opportune place and time to play a match or two.

SPAAAAAH…
Forbes has awarded five stars to The Sanctuary Spa, an oasis designed to melt stress and tension with luxurious face and body treatments. The Sodashi facials, rich in nurturing herbal extracts, are a fabulous and relatively new offering at the spa. Choose radiance, purity, calm, or thermal infusing to personalize the facial to your satisfaction. The spa’s ultimate experience for a couple to enjoy together is the Romance Retreat, a private suite for two to enjoy champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, a whirlpool tub, and side-by-side candlelit massages.

DINE AROUND
Revisit the Ocean Course Clubhouse to have a seafood dinner with a spectacular view at The Atlantic Room or try the family-style Italian dinner at Tomasso located inside the Turtle Point Clubhouse.
…
DAY THREE
Pick up a light bite breakfast, perhaps yogurt and a banana, at Beaches & Cream and stroll outside to The Sanctuary pool, where the best of two worlds collide: the panoramic view of the ocean paired with the comfort of umbrella-shaded chaises and cheerful servers who deliver fresh fruit smoothies to thirsty guests. Time, baked by the sun, slows down and the harried world seems far, far away.

Perhaps a nap or a game of chess in the parlor to round out the day’s activity… or perhaps the simplicity of unfettered time spent with the most important person in your life. No matter your style of romance, The Sanctuary is a special place to rekindle and reconnect.

]]>https://kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/2017/03/13/splendor-by-the-shore/Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Again Earns Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamondshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/KiawahResortBlog/~3/qscfMdC6ap0/
Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:34:22 +0000http://www.kiawahresort.com/blog/kiawah-island/?p=5339For the ninth year in a row, the Forbes Travel Guide has awarded The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with their highest awards — Five Stars. No other hotel in South Carolina earned a Forbes Five Star award in 2017. AAA awarded The Sanctuary Five Diamonds for the 11th year in a row. Additionally, […]

For the ninth year in a row, the Forbes Travel Guide has awarded The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with their highest awards — Five Stars. No other hotel in South Carolina earned a Forbes Five Star award in 2017. AAA awarded The Sanctuary Five Diamonds for the 11th year in a row.

Additionally, the Forbes Travel Guide recognized The Spa at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort with Five Stars for the ninth year in a row. The Ocean Room at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the resort’s high-end steakhouse, earned both Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond awards. It is one of only six steakhouses nationally to earn both Forbes Four Stars and AAA Four Diamonds. There are no Five Star or Five Diamond steakhouses.

“It is an honor to receive these distinguished and coveted awards,” said Bill Lacey, General Manager of The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. “To win them year after year is a tremendous credit to our staff who has continued to maintain the highest standards of service making The Sanctuary one of the finest destinations in the world.”

The Sanctuary, which opened in August, 2004, features 255 rooms and suites, also joins its sister property, The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA, in achieving the coveted Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond awards. The Sanctuary’s other sister property, The Inn at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, earned Forbes Travel Guide Four Star award.

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is an oceanfront hotel and spa and is part of Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which features five championship golf courses, two tennis centers, 18 dining establishments and a variety of recreation and nature programs. It is a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.

Forbes Travel Guide's 2017 Five and Four Star awards feature properties in destinations throughout North America, as well as our newest international ratings. The North American winners include 81 Five Star hotels, 39 Five-Star restaurants and 30 Five Star spas.